Seychelles celebrates 50th Anniversary of its Independence from Great Britain – 29th of June 2026

On the 29th of June 1976 Seychelles gained its independence from Great Britain. Seychelles officially became a sovereign republic after 165 years of British rule with the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) of James Richard Mancham and the Seychelles People's United Party (SPUP) of France Albert René in a coalition government.

James R. Mancham became the Republic's first President, with France Albert René serving as its Prime Minister.

As part of the independence agreement, the United Kingdom returned the Aldabra Islands, Farquhar Islands, and Desroches Island back to Seychelles, having previously detached them to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The official independence ceremonies were held in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles with Queen Elizabeth II represented by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Dr Patrick Herminie, the sitting President of the Republic of Seychelles will lead the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of its independence from Great Britain on June 29.

History

The decision for Seychelles to become an independent nation in June 1976 was finalised in January 1976, when a third Constitutional Conference was held at Marlborough House in London and attended by the British Governor of Seychelles, Collin Hamilton Allen, James R. Mancham, France Albert René and a delegation of the Legislative Assembly of the islands.

The evolution of the political landscape in Seychelles before independence was rather proved difficult generally seen as cordial enough. Seychelles as a British colony had as its population mix a large majority of French landowners and that created a divergence of ideas from both the era when the islands were a French Department and from the British Colonial power.

It was in November 1903 that Seychelles became a crown colony with its own Governor, Executive, and Legislative Councils but with limited political participation from the population. In 1939 the Seychelles Taxpayers and Planters Association (categorised by the British Government as the first political party) was advocating for a degree of autonomy for the islands focusing the Governor's attention all matters relating to the colony's taxpayers who were the economic pillar of the islands.

The Seychelles Taxpayers and Planters Association participated in the 1948 first elections in the islands that was seen as a great step forward for the people of Seychelles. The Association had four candidates standing at these first ever elections for the Legislative Council, each to represent one region. Before that era members of the Legislative Assembly were appointed by the British Governor.

It these 1948 elections Jean Baptiste Beauclec Benoiton won the North Mahe District, Alexandre Deltel won the South Mahe District, Marcel Lemarchand won the Central District and Gustave de Commarmond won the Praslin District.

The early 60s is described as the political awakening in Seychelles. In 1963, the first political party was created.

On April 9, 1963, the first political party, the Seychelles Islanders United Party (SIUP), was formed by Rifned Jumeau. The main aim was ‘to deal with the welfare of and take democratic action for a higher standard of living for the people of Seychelles’.

The following year saw the creation of two other political parties: the Seychelles People’s United Party (SPUP) of France Albert René, which called for Independence from Great Britain, and the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) of James R. Mancham, which wanted integration with Great Britain. The rivalry between these two parties dominated the political arena of Seychelles during the 1960s and 1970s until independence.

Constitutional reforms of 1967 saw the first general elections, which took place that same year with the introduction of universal adult suffrage. The reform also included the creation of a majority of elected members in the legislature from five elective seats to eight, the division of the population into eight electoral areas and the establishment of a single Governing Council which performed both Legislative and Executive functions.

These elections saw the Seychelles Democratic Party (SDP) of James Mancham win 4 electoral seats, the Seychelles People’s United Party (SPUP) of France Albert Rene win 3 electoral seats and Dr Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme as an Independent Candidate with the remaining electoral seat. The following candidates were duly elected James R. Mancham (SDP) for Victoria North, Michael James Green (SPUP) for Victoria South, Dr. Hilda Stevenson-Delhomme (Independent Candidate) for North Mahe, Paul Pillay (SDP) for South Mahe, Chamery Chetty (SDP) for West Mahe, France Albert Rene (SPUP) for East Mahe, David Joubert (SDP) for Praslin & Karl St.Ange (SPUP) for La Digue and the Outlying Islands.

In 1968, the issue of the Seychelles independence was raised in the House of Commons in London, and the following year, Lord Shepherd, who was the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, arrived in Seychelles to have discussions with France Albert Rene, leader of SPUP and James Mancham, leader of SDP. From then on, there was no doubt that the colony would soon achieve its Independence.

On March 9, 1970, the first Constitutional Conference was held at Marlborough House in London to formulate a new constitution, which provided for an 18-member Legislative Assembly and an Advisory Council of Ministers. In the elections which followed, SDP won 10 seats, SPUP won 5 seats, and James Mancham was appointed the first Chief Minister of Seychelles.

From March 14 to 24, 1975, a second Constitutional Conference was held in London at Marlborough House. In June 1975, SPUP and SDP formed a coalition Government. In September that same year, Seychelles entered self-government, and James Mancham became Prime Minister.

In January of 1976, a third Constitutional Conference was held. It was attended by the then Governor of Seychelles, Collin Hamilton Allen. In this last conference, the decision was finalised for Seychelles to become an independent nation in June that same year.

On June 29, 1976, Seychelles achieved its Independence and became a Republic. James Mancham became President of Seychelles, and France Albert Rene became Prime Minister. The population was then 60,504 inhabitants. Seychelles achieved its independence after 165 years of British Rule (1811-1976).

As Seychelles celebrates its 50th Independence Anniversary on the 29th of June 2026 it is Dr Patrick Herminie, the island’s President who will be leading the celebrations for this golden jubilee anniversary.

Category:

Press release 

Oganisation:

Clevenard

Writer:

Tolu Osindero

Phone:

+34 672 93 12 16